Overshoe.



J. SMITH.

OVERSHOB. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 2s, 1907. RBNBWED APB. 24, 1909.

Patented. Feb. s, 1910.

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JESSE SMITH, OF IVORYTON, CONNECTICUT.

OVERSHOE.

Application filed March 23, 1907, Serial No. 364,090. Renewed April 24, 1909.

.To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, JESSE SMITH, citizen of the United States, residing at Ivoryton, in the county of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, have invented new and useful Improvements in Overshoes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in rubber overshoes of that type commonly known as storm rubbers wherein the upper of the shoe is provided with an instep portion.

In the operation of applying the shoe to and removing it from the foot, the instep portion is subjected to considerable pressure and strain, causing the sides of the upper to tear at the points of junction between the instep portion and the body of the upper.

The object of my inventio-n is to provide a rubber in which this objection is obviated by the provision of gussets, gores or reinforcements at the points of junction mentioned, which reinforcements are elastic in nature and permit the rubber to have ample' flexibility, while preventing it from tearing or stretching unduly under strain.

Another object of the invention is to provide a gusset of novel construction which may be conveniently inserted between the body of the shoe and lining, which is light in weight, adds materially to the life of the shoe, and assists in holding the shoe upon the foot of the wearer.

.The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which` Figure l is a side view of a rubber overshoe embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a view of one of the gussets or reinforcements.

Referring to the drawing, l designates an overshoe of the type described, provided with an instep portion 2, the edge 3 of which merges into the edge 4 of the rear portion of the upper at the point 5 at each side of the shoe, thus forming a recess or depression in each side of the upper at a point above the forward portion of the instep of the sole.

In the operation of applying the rubber to and removing it from the shoe the portions 3 are subjected to considerable strain from the bearing of the portion 2 on the instep of the foot while the rear portion of the shoe is depressed to permit of the insertion of the heel portion of the foot into the overshoe, resulting in the rapid deterioration Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. S, 19310.

Serial No. 492,063.

of the upper and breaking away of the same at the point 5 on each side of the shoe. In order to obviate this objection I provide upon each side of the shoe a gore, gusset or reinforcement 6 composed of a triangular strip of rubber webbing or some other suitable elastic material. This is inserted in position between the body of the upper and its lining 7, as indicated in Fig. 2, with its major aXis o o lying centrally on a line crossing the center of the portion 5 coincident with the line of greatest strain thereon, so that the apex portion of the gusset projects at a downward and forward angle, as shown. The base b or portion of greatest width of the gusset extends across the recess 5 between the edges 3 and 1l, and projects a short distance above the lowest portion of the recess, so that the gusset will provide a reinforcing portion of maximum width along the portion c-c, in the direction of distension of the recess by the relative outward movement of the edges 3 and 4, to stay the upper against the strain on a line at right angles to the line a-a, which occurs during the operation of applying and removing the shoe. As a result, the upper will be stayed and reinforced effectually against strain in the two major directions in which the lines of strain fall, thus preventing the Lipper from tearing at the portion 5. The elasticity of the gusset, however, permits the edges 3 and 4 to have relative movement in the operation of applying and removing the shoe in the usual manner.

The gusset may be cemented or otherwise applied in position, and it will be noted that it is of such a construction as to effectually subserve its intended purpose and to be applied without materially adding to the cost of manufacture of the shoe. By having the portion b arranged to project across and between the edges at the point 5, the fact that the overshoe is provided with a reinforce ment of this character is plainly observable, thus preventing an unscrupulous dealer from substituting an old or unimproved article.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is

A rubber overshoe provided with an instep portion the edge of which merges into the edge of the rear portion of the upper of the shoe, forming a recess or depression in each side of the upper at the junctions of said edges above the forward portion of the instep of the sole, and triangular elastic gussets having their major portions embedded between the body of the upper and its lining to yieldingly reinforce said recessed junction portions, each gusset having its base extending across and projecting a short distance above the lowermostportion ot' the recess to provide a reinforcing portion of maximum width in the direction of distension of said recess, and having its apex projecting at a downward and forward angle, whereby the major axis of the gusset lies on a line crossing the center ot the recess junction point obliquely of the upper, and whereby relative movement of the front and 15 rear edges of the recesses, is permitted and the bottom edges of said recesses reinforced to a maximum degree along the two major lines of strain.

In testimony whereof, I aix my signa- 20 ture in presence of two witnesses.

J ESSE SMTH.

Witnesses ALICE M'. STEVENS, LAURA W. KELLOGG. 

